The 64-foot Adventure Ferry came to the sudden stop at about 9 a.m., which threw people around, leading some to crash into tables, a passenger told WWAY.

It was heading from Southport to Bald Head Island at the time.

The Coast Guard and other agencies responded to the scene.

The ferry transport was suspended until the Coast Guard determines the passageway is safe, said Joyce Fulton of Bald Head Island Limited, parent company of Bald Head Island Transportation, which operates the ferry.

As to why the ferry ran aground, she said, "We're still in the fact-gathering mode."